Potosi

Potosí is a region of southern Bolivia, centered at the city of Potosí. The region was known for its precious metals industry during the reign of the Spanish Empire, and it exported large quantities of gold. During the various South American turf wars of the 19th century, Argentina annexed the region, and Chile decided to invade and occupy the region in 1890, claiming that it was Bolivian territory and should therefore be subjected to military occupation as a result of the War of the Pacific. The region was later relieved of occupation and handed back to Bolivia, and Potosí had a population of 823,517 people in 2012.